The fight becomes a blur of blades and motion as whirling axe and dancing scimitars clash between the combatants. The airship crew spectating from above lose track of the blows avoided and struck, the movement of the two fighters kicking up dust and rubble. Before they can tell what's happening the fighting has stopped and both fighters are kneeling, exhausted and bleeding. Raednagh pulls one of Kanon's swords out of his shoulder and, wincing, hands it back to him. Kanon resets a dislocated shoulder with a swift tug, and with a pained smile tossed the God of Justice some bandages. The two of them limp from the ruins back to the airship, holding each other up.

The fight becomes a blur of blades and motion as whirling axe and dancing scimitars clash between the combatants. The airship crew spectating from above lose track of the blows avoided and struck, the movement of the two fighters kicking up dust and rubble. Before they can tell what's happening the fighting has stopped and both fighters are kneeling, exhausted and bleeding. Raednagh pulls one of Kanon's swords out of his shoulder and, wincing, hands it back to him. Kanon resets a dislocated shoulder with a swift tug, and with a pained smile tossed the God of Justice some bandages. The two of them limp from the ruins back to the airship, holding each other up.

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=====One Man and His cat=====

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“So, the person we’re after this time is a member of the Inheritors,” Kanon stated to his companion. He was currently in CAT’s makeshift temple, with the god of cats sat on the floor, half listening, half playing with the piece of string Kanon had brought as an offering.

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CAT said nothing.

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“He’s not too high up, but the Council won’t be happy with us for this one,” he continued, “Are you alright with that?”

“Yes Mr. Kanon!” CAT wasn’t even making eye contact, preoccupied as he was.

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He was clearly enjoying his little gift too much to pay attention, so with practiced ease, Kanon snatched the piece of string away from the cat god. Immediately, CAT lashed out in an attempt to reclaim his toy. He failed, but his clawed fingers caught Kanon on the arm, scratching his wrist and drawing blood.

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Kanon did not react immediately with pain. He was used to such behaviour from his part-time partner in crime-fighting, and quickly pulled out from one of his pockets a bandage he carried for such an occasion. As he wrapped the wound, CAT appeared entirely unrepentant of causing him pain. Truth be told, this was one of the traits he liked about CAT, but it couldn’t half be a pain when it was directed at him. Still, at least he had his attention now.

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“Look, I’ll make this quick and easy,” Kanon said, trying to keep the condescension out of his voice. “We’ll be going after this man in his manor in the canopy. We’ll sneak in after dark, and while I keep the house staff… occupied, you go into this man’s room and play with him for as long as you can.”

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“But Mr. Kanon, couldn’t you just do this on your own?” CAT asked. Kanon recognised the mood the minor deity was in, most likely torn between the desire to sleep and to inflict grievous bodily harm on some unsuspecting helpless citizen. Fortunately, Kanon knew just how to sway him in this situation. “How about,” he started slowly, “if you can get through this with no foul ups or distractions, I’ll take you out for sushi on the Floating Market. My treat.”

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The change in expression was brief, but Kanon was sharp eyed enough to notice CAT’s ears perk up momentarily on hearing this, before an almost adorably serious expression replaced his excited one. “You should keep your word, Mr. Kanon,” he said sternly, “if you don’t, I’ll have to chase you. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

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Kanon laughed out loud, and CAT looked as if he wasn’t sure whether to laugh along or act affronted. He fell somewhere in between, wearing a vaguely bemused expression, probably chosen for requiring the smallest amount of effort on his part.

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“Don’t worry CAT,” Kanon reassured once he was back under control, although still smiling widely, causing his facial tattoos to become distorted, “I’ll keep my word. Now come, it’s almost sundown, and we wouldn’t want to keep your new playmate busy, would we?”

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==

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The next day, two figures could be seen on some of the Floating Market’s outdoor seating, soaking in Great Sawa’s rays. One was wolfing down the largest plate of sushi you’d ever be likely to see, whil the other smiled almost affectionately over the morning newspaper he held.

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The article he was reading detailed the death of an important member of the Inheritors, along with all the live in staff in his manor. The live in staff had been found scattered liberally over the grounds of the mansion, with a mismatch between the numbers of limbs present preventing the authorities from knowing the exact number of victims. The master of the house, meanwhile, was reported to have been barely recognisable, his face clawed off by what was reported to be a wild animal. Hardly front page news given the usual state of affairs in the City, but notable enough that the article had enough descriptive detail to coax an amused chuckle out of this particular reader.

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While he may not be the same wild and crazed man he had started life in the City as, Kanon Luces would always appreciate a job well done.